Copier Parts & Accessories China Tariff Starts in 9 Working Days

For the last forty-five days I've been closely monitoring the impeding tariffs that are to take effect on July 6th of 2018.

About two months ago the United States had 1,333 lines (products) that are imported from China. That list was recently reduced to 818 lines. One of those lines is for "copier parts and copier accessories". For those that are not living under a rock, we know that most of Japanese copier companies have manufacturing facilities in China. If you're not sure just check out the serial plate on one your existing copiers and it will tell you the country of origin.

It seems the only other is industry Publication that's posting anything is Action Intel (last post date was April 3rd). Action Intel did some research into one of the sub headings of the classification and believes that the tariffs will also include most imaging consumables. I urge you to read this article Will U.S. Impose Tariffs on Printer Consumables Made in China? This was published on April 3rd, but much has happened since then.

I paid a visit to The United States Trade Representative site and there you can see the most recent June press release. Below is a cut from that release and link.

In this press release you can also access the current list of 818 products that is set to start on July 6th.

More Tariffs ?

After the release of the 818 lines of products, China exercised their power and added additional items and tariffs to goods that the US imports to China. Keep in mind that the original list of 1,333 lines included not only "copier parts and copier accessories", however, it also included "copy machines".

If the trade war escalates I would tend to think that the list of products will be increased to the original 1,333 lines of products.

Other than some chats from existing Print4Pay Hotel members, it seems that most are not aware of the impeding tariffs. A recent call to DSM on the east coast asking about price increases was met with something like, "haven't heard anything about this and this is the first time I heard about it". Since that call it's been silent. I also offered up a call to a P4P'er on the west coast and asked him to pepper his DSM with a few questions. The response from the west coast DSM was, "we don't act of threats". It's obvious that this DSM has no clue of what's about to happen.

Can the US cancel this before July 6th? Of course they can, however, it seems like the US is in this for the long haul. I'm a betting guy and I would bet that the tariffs will go into effect. I guess the next question will be about how long they could last and of additional products are added.

A few days ago I was on the phone with another Prin4Pay Hotel member and we chatted about what manufacturers would be hit harder with the impending tariffs. We agreed that they were three or four high profile manufacturers that would have some issues. Not going to mention names, this blog is more about educating all on what will happen on July 6th.

Comments (39)

China retaliated to the new US $200 B worth of tariffs with $60 B worth of new 10% tariffs on USA made goods sold in China. This move is in defiance of President Trump's threat to raise the tariff on Chinese goods to 25% on Jan 01 2019 if China retaliated.

On this final list are all forms of copy devices. No mention of printers.

Unless China makes serious trade concessions to the USA, without retaliatory tariffs of its own on USA made goods sold in China, the 10% tariff will rise to 25% on Jan 01 2019.

These devices are on the final tariff list, published Sept 17 2018

8443.39.20 Electrostatic photocopying apparatus, operating by reproducing the original image viaan intermediate onto the copy (indirect process)8443.39.30 Photocopying apparatus, other than electrostatic, incorporating an optical system8443.39.40 Photocopying apparatus, other than electrostatic, of the contact type8443.39.50 Thermocopying apparatus8443.99.10 Accessory & auxiliary machines intended for attachment to an electrostaticphotocopier & which do not operate independent of such copier8443.99.30 Parts of facsimile machines specified in additional U.S. note 3 to this chapter

Although copier manufacturers might be able to absorb a 10% increase to their cost of goods entering the USA, I seriously doubt they could absorb a 25% tariff. They will be forced to pass this cost onto their distribution partners and ultimately you as a copier salesperson and finally to your customers.

As all tariff revenue goes directly into USA gov't general revenues, tariffs are essentially a form of hidden taxation on the American consumer.

SSG

Thanx for keeping this thread up to date! Kudos

The economy is doing so well here in the US that I don't think many will care. I will use this to my advantage to get clients to move now. Now, I hope they do care!

Art

SalesServiceGuy posted:

I can imagine your "spin" to customers already. There is certainly a big sales hammer to close deals by Dec 31 2018.

Probably some manufacturers "stuffed" their warehouses with product in anticipation of this tariff.

Probably by Feb March 2019, if things go completely sideways, prices have to rise as inventory in the USA is depleted and new product is introduced.

Yup, it's a pretty BIG Hammer! I heard a radio report that the US trade debt rose significantly in July. I'm thinking what you stated is that "many of the manufacturers have stuffed thier warehouses". That's probably why we haven't seen anything to date with increases.

On this final list are all forms of copy devices. No mention of printers.

Unless China makes serious trade concessions to the USA, without retaliatory tariffs of its own on USA made goods sold in China, the 10% tariff will rise to 25% on Jan 01 2019.

These devices are on the final tariff list, published Sept 17 2018

8443.39.20 Electrostatic photocopying apparatus, operating by reproducing the original image viaan intermediate onto the copy (indirect process)8443.39.30 Photocopying apparatus, other than electrostatic, incorporating an optical system8443.39.40 Photocopying apparatus, other than electrostatic, of the contact type8443.39.50 Thermocopying apparatus8443.99.10 Accessory & auxiliary machines intended for attachment to an electrostaticphotocopier & which do not operate independent of such copier8443.99.30 Parts of facsimile machines specified in additional U.S. note 3 to this chapter

Although copier manufacturers might be able to absorb a 10% increase to their cost of goods entering the USA, I seriously doubt they could absorb a 25% tariff. They will be forced to pass this cost onto their distribution partners and ultimately you as a copier salesperson and finally to your customers.

As all tariff revenue goes directly into USA gov't general revenues, tariffs are essentially a form of hidden taxation on the American consumer.

SSG

Thanx for keeping this thread up to date! Kudos

The economy is doing so well here in the US that I don't think many will care. I will use this to my advantage to get clients to move now. Now, I hope they do care!

On this final list are all forms of copy devices. No mention of printers. No mention of toner.

Unless China makes serious trade concessions to the USA, without retaliatory tariffs of its own on USA made goods sold in China, the 10% tariff will rise to 25% on Jan 01 2019.

These devices are on the final tariff list, published Sept 17 2018

8443.39.20 Electrostatic photocopying apparatus, operating by reproducing the original image viaan intermediate onto the copy (indirect process)8443.39.30 Photocopying apparatus, other than electrostatic, incorporating an optical system8443.39.40 Photocopying apparatus, other than electrostatic, of the contact type8443.39.50 Thermocopying apparatus8443.99.10 Accessory & auxiliary machines intended for attachment to an electrostaticphotocopier & which do not operate independent of such copier8443.99.30 Parts of facsimile machines specified in additional U.S. note 3 to this chapter

Although copier manufacturers might be able to absorb a 10% increase to their cost of goods entering the USA, I seriously doubt they could absorb a 25% tariff. They will be forced to pass this cost onto their distribution partners and ultimately you as a copier salesperson and finally to your customers.

As all tariff revenue goes directly into USA gov't general revenues, tariffs are essentially a form of hidden taxation on the American consumer.

With no debate, the US Senate unanimously passed a bill that would cut or eliminate tariffs on toasters, chemicals and roughly 1,660 other items made outside the United States.

Nearly half of those items are produced in China, according to a Reuters analysis of government records.

One can only hope that copy/ print devices and their parts and consumables have had their tariffs eliminated. Since there are no manufactures of copiers/ printers on US soil, I do not know from whom the proposed tariffs are suppose to protect other than to be a money grab for US Gov't general revenues.

With no debate, the US Senate unanimously passed a bill that would cut or eliminate tariffs on toasters, chemicals and roughly 1,660 other items made outside the United States.

Nearly half of those items are produced in China, according to a Reuters analysis of government records.

One can only hope that copy/ print devices and their parts and consumables have had their tariffs eliminated. Since there are no manufactures of copiers/ printers on US soil, I do not know from whom the proposed tariffs are suppose to protect other than to be a money grab for US Gov't general revenues.

I can only guess that it would take years and much capital and energy to start or relocate a new copier factory outside of China. The Philippines is currently an important manufacturing hub for A4 printers and MFPs due to low labor costs. Most A3 copiers are manufactured in China.

Many copier manufacturers only offer their dealers best price on new hardware and supplies if they meet specified purchase targets.

Used or refurbished copiers are not able to keep pace with customer preferences for mobile and Office 365 scanning and printing.

I, for one, don't care much what Ricoh thinks about my selling options.

Tariffs also have a way of redirecting business decisions. China may sease to be a viable place for manufacturing. No manufacturer has 100% of their maunfacturing being done in China. No matter what, the effect of any tariffs will be watered down by whatever manufacturing that is being done elsewhere.

I would really love to see something that tells what % of manufacturing is being done in China broken down by manufacturer. If Ricoh is 50% and Samsung is 0% for instance, I would say that it could cause a shift in the competitive marketplace.

Duties on Chinese goods started at 12:01 a.m. Friday in Washington, just after midday in China. Another $16 billion of goods could follow in two weeks, Trump earlier told reporters, before suggesting the final total could eventually reach $550 billion, a figure that exceeds all of U.S. goods imports from China in 2017.

I am glad to hear that you are working in the copier industry so that I know that you have "skin in the game".

There are very many players in the copier/ printer industry each with their own strengths/ weaknesses when faced with a trade war. Each player will have a different tolerance for how much money they want to loose to maintain market share. I definitely would not expect a uniform response.

Multi line dealers will have more options to select from than single line dealers and brand loyalties could be forced to change.

I also suspect that used copier sales on equipment already in the USA will increase as the delta between new and used pricing is going to widen.

as of July 6th, there is no tariff on copy machines. Just copier parts and accessories.

All very good points. I'm guessing larger players might have more manufacturing site options. However, if their A3 are manufactured in say US and Korea but their A4 are largely China, there could be discrepency even within a single manufacturers ptoduct line. Another manufacturer could have the reverse.

I am glad to hear that you are working in the copier industry so that I know that you have "skin in the game".

There are very many players in the copier/ printer industry each with their own strengths/ weaknesses when faced with a trade war. Each player will have a different tolerance for how much money they want to loose to maintain market share. I definitely would not expect a uniform response.

Multi line dealers will have more options to select from than single line dealers and brand loyalties could be forced to change.

I also suspect that used copier sales on equipment already in the USA will increase as the delta between new and used pricing is going to widen.

Nope...not retired and I do have to live from the commissions I earn from personal sales. I just don't believe that everything has to revolve around what is best for me. That being said, I am under the assumption that all copier manufacturers will be effected pretty much equally so I don't personally expect to be adversely effected.

You argue the advantages of lower lumber prices for Americans while disputing the value of lower dairy prices for Canadians. Free trade suggests that the market should decide what is best for the consumer. Free trade would also suggest that your exorbantly high taxes really shouldn't be a factor.

We should probably leave the health care debate out of the equation. I for one would rather have what we have than what the Canadians have, all things considered.

Considered "ill conceived" by those adversely effected. I'm sure ending slavery was considered "ill conceived" by those adversely effected. Some corrections just have to run their course which may be what you meant by "will soon pass".

Canada charges a 270% tariff because the US has a massive over supply of milk production. If US dairy product was to enter Canada without tariffs it would destroy our perfectly working dairy industry. Why should the USA be allowed to destroy our milk industry so as to partially solve a problem created within the USA?

Besides, how do you think Canada maintains its "free" single payer health care system. It is by charging high taxes on all consumer purchases. I do not think that anybody thinks the USA has a good health care system that works well for all citizens.

On the issue of US tariffs on Canadian lumber, it has done nothing but increase the average cost to build a single family dwelling in the USA by $9,000.00 . High demand for Canadian lumber remains the same. The $9,000.00 goes directly into US gov't general revenues. These lumber tariffs do not help a single American. The lumber tariffs are in effect a new tax on US citizens who want to build anything with lumber.

"Whatever money the Trump Administration gave away to its citizens in its tax cuts of 2017 it is now going to claw back with higher taxes disguised as tariffs."

Pretty much the only way to impact trade is to attack industries previously uneffected by imbalances. For instance, if the Canadians are charging a 270% tarrif on USA Dairy products, you can't resolve the problem using USA dairy. The only option is to offset using a previously non-effected industry, say Canadian Lumber. Obviously, Trump hopes that both tarrifs would come to an end eventually and that trade would become "fair" for both sides.

We hate to see our industry brought into the trade war debate but the bigger picture might suggest that it is for a greater good.

In a hint at what is to soon happen with tariffs on copiers/ printers from China headed to the USA, Harley Davidson Motorcycles announced today that it would shift some production headed for Europe to other global manufacturing facilities to avoid paying tariffs estimated at up to $2,200.00 per bike. It could take nine to 18 months to make this change.

It also said that it would not increase prices to European dealers and would take a hit to profitability for the remainder of this year at costs estimated to be $30M to $45M.

I doubt if any copier/ printer manufacturer wants to increase their cost of goods to USA dealers by up to 25% and will make some attempts to absorb these costs or shift production in hopes that these ill conceived trade wars will soon pass.

More than a few copier/ printers are manufactured in Thailand and the Philippines due to low labor costs. I do not know but I think these products tend to be more low end A4 and printer products. I think most A3 product is made in China.

I can only speak for Toshiba but I know the majority of North American toner is made in North Dakota.

As I am from Canada, I am hoping with fingers crossed that this very likely US tariff war with China will not effect us.

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